Ebola Crisis: EU organises airlift operation to West Africa

The European Union is scaling up its response to the Ebola disease in West Africa with an airlift operation to the affected countries. The European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) will facilitate the transportation of relief items to West Africa. In addition, the EU will fund and coordinate if necessary the evacuation of international staff from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

A quarter of the new €4 million funding will be allocated to UNICEF, enabling three Boeing 747 cargo planes to transport vital material to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. The first plane will take-off on Friday, carrying 100 metric tons of emergency equipment from Amsterdam to Freetown, Sierra Leone. The supplies and equipment include personal protection equipment, including masks and gloves, as well as essential medicines and hygiene supplies.

In addition, the remaining €3 million will help in the setting up of a medical evacuation system, coordinated by the ERCC, that will enable international workers in West Africa diagnosed with the Ebola virus disease (EVD) to be evacuated in less than 48 hours by plane to hospitals within Europe that are equipped to deal with the disease.

This initiative is funded from €30 million in humanitarian aid announced by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, in New York last month during a High Level Meeting in response to the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.

"We are in a race against time to fight Ebola," said Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian aid and Crisis Response. "The European Commission alone has so far pledged some €180 million to help the affected countries. Funding is crucial but far from enough. That is why, together with our member States, we have been mobilising in-kind assistance including medical equipment and personnel."

Tonio Borg, European Commissioner for Health, added: "To strengthen Europe's preparedness to handle Ebola, we have been mobilising solidarity inside the EU. We are working closely so that patients can be treated in an appropriate healthcare facility."

The ERCC is coordinating the transportation of aid, equipment and personnel to hotspots in the countries affected by the disease. European countries such as the UK, France, Austria and Belgium have already made use of the mechanism, providing field hospitals, ambulances, sanitation products, medical isolation equipment and experts to the affected region.

Source and image: Europa.eu

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Get ready for Etihad's lap of luxury in the sky - in its Airbus A380s

Hamburg: Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive officer James Hogan said he is confident luxury cabins on the airlines’ new Airbus A380s will sell.

The Residence suite, located on the aircraft’s upper deck, features a living room, separate double bedroom and en suite shower, complete with butler, for up to two people, making it the first three room luxury suite in commercial aviation history.

However, it remains to be seen how strong the market is for such an extravagant product, and while Etihad claim it will undercut the cost of a private jet, it can’t — as a fixed schedule commercial airline — boast the same flexibility.

Top 10 Best Airports in the World

For travelers weary of long lines at security checkpoints and overpriced fast food, the idea that any airport could be viewed as “best” may seem laughable. However, for travelers lucky enough to have flights that originate or end at any of the airports listed below, the word “best” is totally appropriate. These outstanding airports received the most votes from more than twelve million travelers who participated in a survey administered by Skytrax. Awards for the 2013 World’s Best Airport and nine runners-up were announced at passenger terminal EXPO in Geneva, Switzerland. The winning airports were located largely in Europe and Asia, with only one representative from North America and none from Australia, South America or Africa.  The United States was also notably absent from the list of winners.

1. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore

Singapore Changi Airport claimed top prize for the fourth time since the Skytrax awards were initiated, having last won the title in 2010. In addition to winning the top overall award, Singapore Changi Airport, which served more than fifty million passengers in 2012, was named Best Airport in Asia and Best Airport for Leisure Amenities.

2. Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea

Last year’s winner Incheon International Airport slipped to the second place. Still, the main airport serving the South Korean capital is no slouch. In addition to its overall second place finish Incheon received the Best Airport Staff Service – Asia and Best International Transfer Airport awards for 2013.

3. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands

For the first time since the Skytrax awards were issued, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands broke into the top three finishers, largely due to its highly-regarded and efficient self-service transfer process. Schiphol also earned top honors for Best Airport in Europe and Best Airport in Western Europe.

4. Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong, China

A third-place finisher for 2012, Hong Kong International Airport slipped to fourth place in the overall voting for the 2013 World’s Best Airport. Nonetheless, Hong Kong International Airport remained a favorite among the voters. In addition to its overall fourth place finish, Hong Kong International airport ranked in the top five among all airports in six different categories.

5. Beijing Capital International Airport, China

Beijing Capital International Airport only began operations in 2008 and has added passenger traffic every year. Nonetheless, the airport maintained its fifth place overall position from 2012 to 2013, and was also named the best airport in China.

6. Munich Airport, Germany

For travelers who hate the dried out microwave fare many airports offer, Munich Airport in Germany features food offerings that are a treat to the palate. In addition to scoring sixth in overall voting for 2013, Munich Airport also earned the award for Best Airport in Central Europe and Best Airport Dining Experience.

7. Zurich Airport, Switzerland

If you have ever experienced lost luggage, you will appreciate the fact that Zurich Airport in Switzerland is a perennial winner in the category of Best Airport Baggage Delivery, in addition to scoring seventh place in overall voting in 2013. Zurich Airport also earned the 2013 award for Best Airport Staff Service – Europe.

8. Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia, Canada

Finishing in eighth place overall in the 2013 voting, Vancouver International Airportis the only North American representative on the list of World’s Best Airports. Moving up from its overall ninth place finish in 2012, Vancouver International Airport retained the award for Best Airport in North America.

9. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), Japan

A new entry in the top ten list of World’s Best Airports, Tokyo International Airportmoved up five places from its 2012 position.  Haneda took first place in the category of Best Domestic Airport, a new category for 2012, and also snagged the award for Best Airport Terminal Cleanliness.

10. London Heathrow Airport, England (Great Britain)

Rounding the top ten is London Heathrow Airport, earning its place on the list largely due to its highly-regarded Terminal 5, which opened in 2008. T5, as it is commonly known, also earned the award for Best Airport Terminal for the third year in a row. The entire airport has undergone an overhaul, with its efforts rewarded by Heathrow finally earning 4-Star Airport status in 2012.

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LA Airport to receive a half billion dollars renewal

Southwest Airlines helped kick-off construction of the $508-million Terminal 1 Modernization Program at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) today with a groundbreaking ceremony featuring Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Councilman Mike Bonin, City Councilman Tom LaBonge, Los Angeles Airport Commission President Sean O. Burton, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey, and Southwest Airlines Vice President of Airport Affairs Bob Montgomery.

The modernization of the aging terminal, built in the early 1980s, is expected to transform the entire passenger experience from the curb to the gate, and will include a new 12-lane security screening checkpoint; a fully automated checked-baggage inspection and sortation system; a new and expanded dining and retail collection featuring activated gate hold rooms with lounge-style seating; refurbished arrival/baggage claim area; replacement of the passenger boarding bridges; renovations to airline support office space; modernized aircraft parking/apron pavement and hydrant fueling system; improvements to the building facade; and relocation of the main terminal entrances to the west end of the building to ease traffic congestion.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2018 and will be phased to minimize inconvenience to customers, employees, and guests.

"The Terminal 1 improvement project will bring a better passenger experience and 1,500 construction jobs to LAX," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "As part of our $7 billion investment in LAX, we're remodeling every terminal and creating 40,000 jobs. Because Los Angeles deserves a world-class airport."

“The partnership we have with Southwest Airlines will create the world-class experience we want for all LAX passengers,” LAWA Executive Director Lindsey said. “As our passenger base continues to grow and change, we are working hard to increase efficiency and accommodate their needs today and in the future.”

“The Modernization of Terminal 1 at LAX has long been in our sights,” said Bob Montgomery, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Airport Affairs. “The renovation within our current space at Terminal 1 will allow us to better serve our customers today as well as provide the opportunity to expand our network options alongside any growth in Customer demand.”

When completed, the passenger’s journey from curb to aircraft boarding bridge will be transformed and designed to provide a more efficient and exciting travel experience. By reorganizing the interior uses of the building and shifting the ticketing lobby and main entrances to the west, passenger drop off and pick up areas are anticipated to improve, as well as congestion in front of Terminal 1 reduced.

Westfield’s new retail and dining collection in Terminal 1 will offer 24 spaces across 25,242 square feet—nearly double the existing program. Plans include full-service restaurants along with a variety of casual and grab-and-go food offerings, as well as new high-end retail and traveler essentials. The program will open in a phased approach, with the first Westfield developed spaces scheduled to open late Summer 2015.

Source and image: LAX

NATS postpones network changes relating to Gatwick

NATS has decided to postpone the submission of proposed high level network changes (above 4,000ft) relating to Gatwick Airport, which was part of Phase 1 of the London Airspace Management Programme (LAMP). This postponement follows the airport’s decision to undertake additional analysis in order to better understand their options and next steps for the low level airspace that they are responsible for (primarily routes below 4,000ft).

NATS remains confident that the proposals being developed for the higher level airspace network over the whole of the south east, including those for aircraft using Gatwick Airport, are robust and in line with CAA/DfT requirements.

NATS is still committed to delivering changes to the high level network, in phases, out to 2020; this programme of change will meet CAA requirements and is part of the Government’s Future Airspace Strategy (FAS).  The FAS constitutes the biggest change ever undertaken to UK airspace structures and modernising the airspace system is essential for the UK and Europe to remain competitive in the global market.

The FAS related changes to the route network will significantly reduce fuel and CO2 from aviation however, the delivery of these benefits for the network serving Gatwick will now be delayed.

Source and image: NATS